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What is a Journal?

Article 2 Section 10 of the Kansas Constitution requires the House of Representatives and the Senate to publish a journal of its proceedings. Journals are the official record of chamber activities and are an important source of legislative information but are not a verbatim record. Both chambers publish a journal for every day they are in session. Information in the journal includes: roll call votes; explanations of votes by members; actions on bills and resolutions including amendments; communications from the Governor and agencies; certain recorded comments made by members relating to congratulatory resolutions, recognitions or other events; and other material reflecting the activity of the chamber. The Senate journal includes actions on certain appointments by the Governor, state agencies and leadership of the House and Senate. The journal is required to contain the votes on the final passage of every bill and concurrent resolutions addressing state constitutional amendments or ratification of the US Constitution. After each yearly session, the daily journals of each chamber are compiled and published, along with summary information, as a House or Senate Permanent Journal.